Modular stanchion system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly support height. Base sections are provided, each having a different predetermined height with respect to one another. A movable platform carries a base section, and a wing assembly support section rests on a selected base section and includes a wing assembly connector, which is movable in a first plane and a second plane generally perpendicular relative to the first plane. A differential height is defined between the wing assembly support height and the combined heights of the platform and the height of wing assembly connector, relative to the bottom of the wing assembly support section. At least one of the base sections is of a predetermined height approximating the differential height and is carried on the platform. The wing assembly support section is carried on such base section.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to configurations, systems, andmethods for supporting relatively large, elongated structures. Morespecifically, certain aspects of the disclosure relate toconfigurations, systems, and methods for manufacturing, maintenance,inspection, testing, and evaluation of aircraft wing assembles, whereinstanchions of readily variable heights may be employed.

BACKGROUND

In the manufacture of elongated components, and in particular aircraftwings, support stands (also referred to as stanchions) of differingheights may be required. This may be the case with aircraft wings inparticular, wherein the thickness of an aircraft wing may changeconsiderably, moving from the root of the wing (where the wing attachesto an aircraft fuselage) to the tip of such wing. To adequately supportthe wing, multiple stanchions are typically used along the length ofboth sides of the wing. These stanchions may be required to each be of acustom height in order to support a particular location of a specificmodel of wing, depending on a number of factors, including, withoutlimitation, the weight to be supported, the design tolerances, the typeand amount of work and/or inspection to be done, etc. Given the varietyof wing models which may require manufacture, maintenance, inspection,testing, evaluation, etc., the construction of stanchions that arecustom-made for each of the various wing models and/or configurationscan be expensive, labor intensive, and can adversely bear on productionsschedules.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches to the support of wings and other elongated structures maybecome apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of suchsystems with the teachings and examples set forth in the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

It would be desirable to provide systems, methods, and apparatuses thataddress the issues discussed above, as well as other potential issues,and also to provide a modular stanchion system which is readilyreconfigurable for production systems of a variety of aircraft wingmodels. Moreover, it would be beneficial to provide configurations,systems, and methods for supporting aircraft wings and/or otherelongated structures during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection,testing, and/or evaluation through use of stanchions of readilyadaptable heights.

Briefly, an example implementation of a modular stanchion system asdisclosed herein may include a predetermined or preselected height uppersection having an actuation system, controls and a movable slide tabletogether with a lower base section of a preselected height. Thisarrangement allows for a quickly configurable and/or reconfigurablestanchion for a variety of aircraft wing models or other elongatedstructures, in that the overall stanchion height can be changed byreplacing the lower base with another lower base of a different height.Wing attachments for connecting the stanchion system to the wing can bevaried as necessary or desired by attaching an arm to the slide table onthe upper section. A modular movable platform may be provided that isalso of a predetermined size and/or height for use in connection withone or more other such modular movable platforms for supporting thestanchions.

Accordingly, configurations, systems, and method are disclosed forfacilitating such support of wings and/or other large elongatedstructures substantially as shown in and/or described in connection withat least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in theclaims.

Examples of the present disclosure are generally directed to a methodand apparatus for supporting one or more wings or other elongatedstructures. In one example implementation, a system, or apparatus, isdisclosed for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly supportheight relative to a support surface, the apparatus comprising at leastone movable platform having a first height and base sections, eachhaving a different predetermined height with respect to one another. Atleast one wing assembly support section is provided, and a wing assemblyconnector is connected to the wing assembly support section. The wingassembly connector is configured to be movable in a first plane and asecond plane generally perpendicular with respect to the first plane.The wing assembly support section defines a bottom, and the wingassembly connector is at a second height from the bottom. The movableplatform and the wing assembly connector are configured such that theaggregate of the first height and the second height is less than thewing assembly support height and such that the difference between theaggregate of the first height and the second height and the wingassembly support height defines a differential height. At least one thebase sections is of a predetermined height approximating thedifferential height and is carried on the movable platform. And, thewing assembly support section is carried on the at least one of themultiple base sections being of a predetermined height approximating thedifferential height.

Such example implementation may include multiple, or a plurality of,movable platforms including at least one clamp mechanism thatselectively joins the plurality of movable platforms to one another.Each of the plurality of movable platforms may include a first side anda second side generally opposite the first side, and at least one firstclamp mechanism may be provided on the first side of each of theplurality of movable platforms, and at least one second clamp mechanismmay be provided on the second side of each of the plurality of movableplatforms, wherein, the first clamping mechanism and the second clampingmechanism cooperate with one another to selectively join the pluralityof movable platforms to one another. Additionally or alternately atleast one male index mechanism may be provided on the front side of eachof the plurality of movable platforms, and at least one female indexmechanism may be provided on the rear side of each of the plurality ofmovable platforms, wherein, the first index mechanism and the secondindex mechanism cooperate with one another to selectively register theplurality of movable platforms to one another.

In another example implementation, the first side and the second sideeach platform may define an opening and a compartment may be providedextending between the first side and the second side and communicatingwith the opening in each of the first side and the second side. A doormay be provided pivotally attached to the movable platform forselectively allowing access to the compartment.

An example implementation may comprise the movable platform including aplurality of wheels that permit the movable platform to move about thesupport surface.

Yet another example implementation may include the wing assembly supportsection defining a compartment and an access door that is incommunication with the compartment.

Still another example implementation may include the wing assemblysupport section including a movable table interposed between the wingassembly support section and the base section and the movable tablebeing configured to allow relative generally rectilinear movementbetween the assembly support section and a base section.

A further example implementation may include the wing assembly connectorincluding an arm, and wherein the first plane is generally perpendicularto the support surface and the second plane is generally parallel to thesupport surface. Additionally, the wing assembly connector may includean arm movable in a third plane that is generally parallel to the firstplane and generally perpendicular to the second plane. Also, an elevatordevice, which may include a motor, may be connected to wing assemblyconnector that automatically moves the arm in the second plane, and amovable bracket may be connected to wing assembly connector that allowsthe arm to move in the third plane. Furthermore, a load cell may beconnected to the wing assembly connector that automatically determines aload placed on the arm.

Moreover, an example implementation may include at least one outriggerconnected to the movable platform that stabilizes the platform.

In other exemplary aspects of the disclosure, configurations, systems,and methods for supporting aircraft wings and/or other elongatedstructures during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing,and/or evaluation through use of a stanchion including an upper sectionof a generally predetermined, fixed height having an actuation system,controls, and a movable table in combination with a base sectionselected from a collection of base sections, each being of a different,predetermined height.

In another exemplary implementation of the disclosure, a method isprovided for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly supportheight relative to a support surface, the method comprising the stepsof: providing at least one wing assembly; providing at least one movableplatform having a first height; providing multiple base sections, eachhaving a different predetermined height with respect to one another;providing at least one wing assembly support section and a wing assemblyconnector movable in a first plane and a second plane generallyperpendicular with respect to the first plane; the wing assembly supportsection defining a bottom, and the wing assembly connector being at asecond height from the bottom; totaling the first height of the movableplatform and the second height of the wing assembly connector from thebottom of the wing assembly section; determining a differential heightby comparing the totaled first height and second height to the wingassembly support height; selecting one of the multiple base sections ofa predetermined height approximating the differential height andpositioning the selected one of the multiple base sections upon theplatform; positioning the wing assembly support section on top of theselected one of the multiple base sections; and connecting the wingassembly connector to the wing assembly for supporting the wingassembly.

The number of stanchions could, in one example arrangement, bedetermined by the size of a wing, the weight of the wing, and the designtolerances. Because an example implementation stanchion system may be ofmodular design, an upper section could be designed to include anactuation system, controls, and/or a moving slide table to hold the wingin the correct orientation. The lower, base section may, accordingly, bevaried in height in order to support the wing as the thickness of thewing varies from the wing's root to its tip. To facilitate positioningof the stanchions, modular rolling platforms may be provided which canbe linked together, for example with a coupling arrangement, to alloweach stanchion to move individually, or if desired, in a generallyhorizontal plane collectively along a floor or other support surface.

The features, functions and advantages discussed herein may be achievedindependently in various examples or may be combined in yet otherexemplary aspects of the disclosure, the further details of which may beseen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described exemplary aspects of the disclosure in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of an aircraft wing assemblysupported by example implementations of a system of modular stanchions;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example modular movable platformcontemplated by the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example stanchion and an examplemodular movable platform contemplated by the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 3 andan example upper stanchion moving horizontally between first and secondpositions with respect to a base section;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrating anexample actuator system of an upper stanchion moving between first andsecond positions; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an example stanchion and an example modularmovable platform contemplated by the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of aircraft production and service methodology;and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all examples of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, variousexemplary aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forthherein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of thedisclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

As used herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the listjoined by “and/or.” As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of thethree-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/orz” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y),(x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. Further, as used herein, the term“exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, orillustration. Moreover, as used herein, the term, for example, or“e.g.,” introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples,instances, or illustrations.

Examples of the present disclosure include methods and apparatusesprovided for formation of a composite component about a mandrel having agenerally rigid insert acting in cooperation with a pneumatic toolingelement.

Generally, in one example implementation of the present disclosure, asystem is provided for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assemblysupport height relative to a support surface shown in FIG. 1, thesubject matter described herein relates generally to a horizontal buildline, generally 150, for a relatively large, elongated structure, suchas an aircraft wing assembly, or simply, “wing,” generally 152. Modulartooling stands, or stanchions, generally 200, can be mounted to asupport surface, such as the floor, generally 154, or to modular rollingplatforms, generally 202, which facilitate support wing assembly 152,such as in an assembly line and/or for maintenance, inspection, testing,and evaluation purposes. Platform 202 is of a predetermined height,which could be approximately 12 inches or any other suitable height.Stanchions 200 may allow a manufacturer to relatively quickly configureand/or reconfigure production system of various aircraft model wingsizes and configurations and/or other elongated structures.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5, each stanchion 200 may include awing assembly support section, such as a generally predetermined-heightadjustable upper section, generally 208, which may contain componentsand systems, such as an arm configuration, generally 210, a movableslide table 214, and an actuation system, generally 216. A lower, basesection, generally 220, is of a predetermined height and may be ofconstruction of similar width and depth dimensions as compare to otherlower sections shown herein as exemplary implementations, and also,could be one of a number of such base sections of varying heights, eachbeing readily interchangeable with one another and fully compatible withan upper section 208 and a modular rolling platform, generally 202. Thisarrangement allows for the same overall stanchion design to be used inthe assembly of wings with varying size/height requirements. Modularrolling platforms 202 are of a predetermined size and configuration,thereby allowing for generally interchangeable use with respect to abase section 220 and in stanchions 200, generally.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in particular, four stanchions (200 a, 200 b, 200 c,200 d) each being carried on a platform 202. Each stanchion 200 includesa base section 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, and 220 d, respectively, and anupper section 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, and 208 d, respectively. Stanchion200 a is positioned near the root, generally 156, of wing 152 which isthe thickest portion of wing 152. Stanchions 200 b, 200 c and 200 d arespaced progressively further outwardly with respect to wing 152 andserve to support wing 152 as wing 152 is maintained, inspected, tested,evaluated, etc. Stanchion 200 d is positioned furthermost outwardly withrespect to root 156 of wing 152, and because the distance from floor 154to a support portion of wing 152 increases as one moves from root 156 totip 158 of wing 152, for support purposes, stanchion 200 d is of agreater height from floor 154 than is stanchion 200 a. However, each ofstanchions 200 a and 200 d include a generally interchangeable uppersection, 208 a and 208 d, respectively, with each of upper sections 200a, 200 d being of substantially the same height as one another. Each ofstanchions 200 a and 200 d are also mounted on a modular rollingplatforms, 202 a, 202 d, respectively, and each of modular rollingplatforms 202 also being interchangeable with one another, i.e., ofsubstantially the same height and configuration as compared to oneanother.

Accordingly, in order to provide the additional elevation, or height,required by stanchion 200 d, as compared to stanchion 200 a, basesection 220 d of stanchion 200 d is of greater height than base section220 a of stanchion 200 a.

Turning to FIG. 2, modular rolling platform 202 is shown in more detail.Platform 202 includes a top surface 240 on which a base section 220rests and is carried, such as shown in FIG. 3. Platform 202 includes afront wall 242, a rear wall 244 (FIG. 4A), a left side wall 246 (FIG.6), and a right side wall 248. Extending from front wall 242 and/or rearwall 244 is an outrigger assembly, generally 250, that stabilizesplatform 202 and which includes an arm 252 having a foot 254 configuredto contact floor 154 is slidably carried for substantially rectilinearmovement in slots 256 in which an upper portion 258 of foot member 242may slide to and fro. Foot 254, in one example implementation, isthreadingly connected to upper block member 258 to allow the foot to bemoved upwardly and downwardly with respect to arm 252 and to ultimately,via arm 252, allow for platform 202 to be leveled, and/or generallyfixed against movement with respect to floor 154. Although only oneoutrigger assembly 250 is shown, it is to be understood that suchoutrigger assemblies could be provided in one or both channels 260, 262(FIG. 3) on front wall 242 of platform 202 and/or in rear wall 244.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example implementation for an outrigger assembly250 is provided on rear wall 244. Front wall 242 of platform 202 alsoincludes a clamp mechanism, generally 264, which includes a handle 268and a loop, or clasp, 266 which is engagable with a hook member 270 onan adjacent front wall 242 of an adjacent platform 202, upon platforms202 being placed in an adjacent relationship with respect to oneanother, such as is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, handle 268 maybe pivoted or otherwise actuated to cause loop 266 to engage and snuglyclamp and/or lock loop 266 into hook member 270, similar to a bucklearrangement and/or a toggle-like manner. Similarly, rear wall 244 ofplatform 202 may include a loop and handle 266, 268 combination and hookmember 270 (FIG. 6) for attaching to adjacent rear walls 244 of adjacentplatforms 202, as shown in FIG. 1. Upon platforms 202 being placedadjacent one another, one or more loops 266 may engage one or more hookmembers 270, respectively, and the respective handles 268 may beactuated to cause loops 266 to snugly lock into respective hook membersand thereby secure adjacent platforms together.

Platforms 202 may also include on sides 246 and 248 additionalconnectors 272 of selectively securing adjacent platforms 202 to oneanother. For example, side wall 246 of a platform 202 may include one ormore male index mechanisms, connectors 280 (FIG. 6) which engage withfemale connectors, or index mechanisms, 282, that selectively registerwith one another to further secure adjacent platforms against relativemovement with respect to one another, particularly against relativelateral movement with respect to one another (i.e., relative to thelongitudinal dimension of wing 152).

As shown in FIG. 2, platforms 202 may further include a wire tray,generally 288, extending the length of platform 202 adjacent wall 244.Wire tray 288 is configured to carry wiring, cabling, hosing, etc. (notshown) between adjacent platforms 202, and such wiring may pass throughopenings 290, which may be in communication with both wire tray 288 andsides 246 and 248 (opening 290 is shown only in side 248 in thedrawings). The wiring, cabling, hosing, etc. carried in wiring tray 288may supply power, controls, pressurized air and/or hydraulic hosing,etc. to base sections 220 and/or upper sections 208 and may providepower and/or control instructions to base sections 220 and/or uppersections 208 for operations of arm configuration 210, movable slidetable 214, and/or actuation system 216.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5, the bottom portion of platform 202 mayinclude castors, or wheels, generally 294, proximate the corners of thebottom portion. Wheels 294 may be selectively actuatable between alocked configuration to generally prevent platform from moving and anunlocked position for allowing platform 202 to move generally freelyabout the floor. Wheels 294 could also be configured to move between aretracted position above the lowermost edges 296 of the platform, suchthat the platform rests on the floor supported by lowermost edges 296(to generally prevent platform from moving) and an extended, whereinwheels 294 extend below lowermost edges 296 and allow the platform tomove generally freely about the floor. Brackets 297 (FIG. 3) may also beused to attach the platform to floor 154, if desired.

FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 illustrate base section 220, which, as notedabove, can be configured to be of different heights. Each base section220 is configured to interchangeably attach to a platform 202, and, ifdesired, to receive wiring, cabling, hosing, etc. from wire tray 288 orotherwise. Base sections 220 are, in an example implementation,generally box-shaped, but it is to be understood that base sections 220could be of other shapes and constructions, including, but not limitedto, open frame construction, cylindrical construction (none shown), ifdesired. Base sections 220 may include one or more access panels and/ordoors, generally, 298, on sides 300, 302 (FIG. 6), and/or on the front304 or back thereof. One or more flanges 306 may be provided at thebottom of a base section 220 and may include holes through whichfasteners 308 such as screws, bolts, quick-release fasteners (noneshown) may pass to attach base section 220 to a platform 202. The uppersurface 310 (FIG. 3) of base section 220 is configured to receivemovable sliding table 214, which allows upper section 208 to selectivelymove generally rectilinearly with respect to base 220 and towards andaway from wing 152. Movement of upper section 208 on the sliding tablecan be done manually and/or through a motorized and/or pressurized fluidconfiguration (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4A, upper section 208 includes a cabinet 312 of agenerally box-like configuration. Cabinet 312 includes an access door314 (FIG. 3) which opens to a compartment 316 within cabinet 312. Insidecompartment 316 is actuation system 216 which actuates arm mechanism210, which is carried in a yoke 320. Yoke 320 is mounted on a bearingplate mechanism, generally 322, which is carried for generallyrectilinear vertical movement upwardly and downwardly, such as shown inFIG. 5. An elevator device, such as a ball screw mechanism, generally324, may be used to provided yoke 320 with such vertical movement,although it is to be understood that other mechanisms (such as pneumaticand/or hydraulic cylinders, cable mechanisms, etc.) (none shown) couldalso be used to cause such vertical movement, if desired. Ball screwmechanism 324 rotates a threaded shaft 324 a on which a threaded supportblock configuration 324 b is captured and restrained from rotation withrespect to shaft 324 a and instead moves generally rectilinearly up anddown along shaft 324 a, as shown by arrow 324 d in FIG. 5. Support block324 b is connected to a bracket 325 (FIG. 6), and yoke 320 is carried onbracket 325 for side to side, or lateral, movement, as shown by arrow325 a in FIG. 6. Because support block 324 b is connected to bracket325, and yoke 320 is connected to bracket 325, yoke 320 moves verticallycorrespondingly with support block 324 b and bracket 325.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in one example implementation, controls in uppersection 208 may include one or more ball screw mechanisms 324 isconnected to a right angle drive gear reducer 330, which is driven by amotor 334. Ball screw actuator 324 c is powered by gear reducer 330 torotate threaded shaft 324 a of ball screw mechanism 324. Motor 334 isshown as being vertically disposed in FIG. 5, although it could behorizontally disposed or disposed at some other angle, if desired. Motor334 may be powered via wiring, cabling, etc. carried in one or moreplatforms 202.

Controls included in upper section 208 may comprise one or more loadcell arrangements, generally, 340 may be provided in compartment 316that automatically determines a load placed on arm arrangement 210 andmay include a load cell 344 and a pull plate 346 adjacent to load cell344. Load cell arrangement 340 may be powered using wiring, cabling,etc. carried in one or more platforms 202.

Yoke 320 carries arm arrangement 210, which may include a generallyL-shaped arm member 350 having ears 352 carried in receivers 354 in yoke320. Arm member 350 may include a wing assembly connector, or,attachment portion 358 (FIG. 4B) configured for coupling with acorresponding and/or mating coupling (not shown) provided on wing 152.The coupling of attachment portion 358 with wing 152 (or other elongatedstructure) allows a portion of the weight and/or downward force of wing152 to be borne by arm member 350, which in turn transmits the forcethrough ball screw mechanism 324. The adjustability of upper section 308towards and away from wing 152, via sliding table 214 (in the directionof arrow 214 a is FIG. 4B) and the horizontal adjustability (via yoke320 on bracket 325) and the vertical adjustability (via yoke 320 carriedon support block 324 b) of arm member 350 allows for a variety ofdegrees of freedom by which arm member 350 can be attached to wing 152,such as at spars (not shown) or other portions of wing 152.

In other exemplary aspects of the disclosure, configurations, systems,and methods for supporting aircraft wings and/or other elongatedstructures during manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing,and/or evaluation through use of a stanchion including an upper sectionof a generally predetermined or preselected and/or fixed height havingan actuation system, controls, and a movable table in combination with abase section selected from a collection of base sections, each being ofa different, predetermined height.

Examples of the present disclosure may be described in the context of anaircraft manufacturing and service method, generally depicted as 100,shown schematically in FIG. 7, and an aircraft, generally depicted as102, shown schematically in FIG. 8, with the functions of service method100 and construction of aircraft 102 being depicted as blocks and/ormodules in such figures. During pre-production, exemplary method 100 mayinclude specification and design 104 of the aircraft 102 and materialprocurement 106. During production, component and subassemblymanufacturing 108 and system integration 110 of the aircraft 102 takesplace. Thereafter, the aircraft 102 may go through certification anddelivery 112 in order to be placed in service 114. While in service by acustomer, the aircraft 102 is scheduled for routine maintenance andservice 116 (which may also include modification, reconfiguration,refurbishment, and so on).

Each of the processes of method 100 may be performed or carried out by asystem integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer).For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include,without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers andmajor-system subcontractors; a third party may include withoutlimitation any number of venders, subcontractors, and suppliers; and anoperator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, serviceorganization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 8, the aircraft 102 produced by exemplary method 100may include an airframe 118 with a plurality of systems 120 and aninterior 122. Examples of high-level systems 120 include one or more ofa propulsion system 124, an electrical system 126, a hydraulic system128, and an environmental system 130. Any number of other systems may beincluded. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of theinvention may be applied to other industries, such as the automotiveindustry.

Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one ormore of the stages of the production and service method 100. Forexample, components or subassemblies corresponding to the productionprocess stage 108 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similarto components or subassemblies produced while the aircraft 102 is inservice. Also, one or more apparatus examples, method examples, or acombination thereof may be utilized during the production stages 108 and110, for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducingthe cost of an aircraft 102. Similarly, one or more of apparatusexamples, method examples, or a combination thereof may be utilizedwhile the aircraft 102 is in service, for example and withoutlimitation, for maintenance and service 116.

The present disclosure is applicable in the context of manufacturing anair craft 102 and service method 100, and/or in other manufacturingsectors, such as the automotive sector, space sector, heavy industrysector, surface and submarine vessel maritime sector, etc.

Exemplary implementations of configurations, systems, and methods forsupporting elongated structures, such as aircraft wings, duringmanufacturing, maintenance, inspection, testing, and/or evaluation aredescribed above in detail. The systems and methods are not limited tothe specific implementations described herein, but rather, components ofsystems and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently andseparately from other components and/or steps described herein. Thedisclosed dimensional ranges include all sub ranges there between.Further, tools and components described herein may be fabricated fromany material that enables such tool or component to function asdescribed herein. Each tool or component and each method step may alsobe used in combination with other components and/or method steps.Although specific features of various implementations may be shown insome drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Anyfeature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combinationwith any feature of any other drawing.

Many modifications and other exemplary aspects of the disclosure setforth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented inthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific examples disclosed and that modifications and other exemplaryaspects of the disclosure are intended to be included within the scopeof the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptionsand the associated drawings illustrate examples in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative examples without departing from the scope ofthe appended claims. For instance, different combinations of elementsand/or functions than those explicitly described above are alsocontemplated as may be set forth in the appended claims. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting a wing assembly at awing assembly support height relative to a support surface, theapparatus comprising: at least one movable platform having a firstheight; a plurality of base sections, each having a differentpredetermined height with respect to one another; at least one wingassembly support section; a wing assembly connector connected to thewing assembly support section; the wing assembly connector beingconfigured to be movable in a first plane and a second plane generallyperpendicular with respect to the first plane; the wing assembly supportsection defining a bottom and the wing assembly connector being at asecond height from the bottom; the movable platform and the wingassembly connector being configured such that the aggregate of the firstheight and the second height is less than the wing assembly supportheight and such that the difference between the aggregate of the firstheight and the second height and the wing assembly support heightdefines a differential height; at least one of the multiple basesections being of a predetermined height approximating the differentialheight; the at least one of the multiple base sections being of apredetermined height approximating the differential height being carriedon the movable platform; and the wing assembly support section beingcarried on the at least one of the multiple base sections being of apredetermined height approximating the differential height.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the at least one movableplatform including a plurality of movable platforms; and and each of theplurality of movable platforms including at least one clamp mechanismthat selectively joins the plurality of movable platforms to oneanother.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the at leastone movable platform including a plurality of movable platforms; andeach of the plurality of movable platforms including a first side and asecond side generally opposite the first side; at least one first clampmechanism on the first side of each of the plurality of movableplatforms; at least one second clamp mechanism on the second side ofeach of the plurality of movable platforms; and wherein, the firstclamping mechanism and the second clamping mechanism cooperate with oneanother to selectively join the plurality of movable platforms to oneanother.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the at leastone movable platform including a plurality of movable platforms; andeach of the plurality of movable platforms including a front side and arear side generally opposite the front side; at least one male indexmechanism on the front side of each of the plurality of movableplatforms; at least one female index mechanism on the rear side of eachof the plurality of movable platforms; and wherein, the male indexmechanism and the female index mechanism cooperate with one another toselectively register the plurality of movable platforms to one another.5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the at least onemovable platform defining a first side and a second side generallyopposite the first side; the first side and the second side eachdefining an opening; a compartment extending between the first side andthe second side and communicating with the opening in each of the firstside and the second side; and a door pivotally attached to the movableplatform for selectively allowing access to the compartment.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the at least one movableplatform including a plurality of wheels that permit the movableplatform to move about the support surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: the at least one wing assembly support sectiondefining a compartment; and at least one access door that is incommunication with the compartment.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: the at least one wing assembly support section including amovable table interposed between the at least one wing assembly supportsection and the at least one of the multiple base sections being of apredetermined height approximating the differential height; and themovable table being configured to allow relative generally rectilinearmovement between the at least one wing assembly support section and theat least one of the multiple base sections being of a predeterminedheight approximating the differential height.
 9. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising: the wing assembly connector including an arm, andwherein the first plane is generally perpendicular to the supportsurface and the second plane is generally parallel to the supportsurface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: the wingassembly connector including an arm movable in a third plane that isgenerally parallel to the first plane and generally perpendicular to thesecond plane.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the wingassembly connector including an arm, and wherein the first plane isgenerally perpendicular to the support surface and the second plane isgenerally parallel to the support surface; and an elevator deviceconnected to wing assembly connector that automatically moves the arm inthe second plane.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: amovable bracket connected to wing assembly connector that allows the armto move in the third plane.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: the wing assembly connector including an arm, and whereinthe first plane is generally perpendicular to the support surface andthe second plane is generally parallel to the support surface; and aload cell connected to the wing assembly connector that automaticallydetermines a load placed on the arm.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: the wing assembly connector including an arm, andwherein the first plane is generally perpendicular to the supportsurface and the second plane is generally parallel to the supportsurface; an elevator device connected to wing assembly connector thatautomatically moves the arm in the second plane; and a motor connectedto the elevator device that powers the elevator device.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one outriggerconnected to the at least one movable platform that stabilizes the atleast one movable platform.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: the at least one movable platform including a plurality ofmovable platforms; and each of the plurality of movable platformsincluding at least one clamp mechanism that selectively joins theplurality of movable platforms to one another; and the at least onemovable platform including a plurality of wheels that permit the movableplatform to move about the support surface.
 17. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising: the at least one wing assembly support sectionincluding a movable table interposed between the at least one wingassembly support section and the at least one of the multiple basesections being of a predetermined height approximating the differentialheight; the movable table being configured to allow relative generallyrectilinear movement between the at least one wing assembly supportsection and the at least one of the multiple base sections being of apredetermined height approximating the differential height; the wingassembly connector including an arm, and wherein the first plane isgenerally perpendicular to the support surface and the second plane isgenerally parallel to the support surface; and an elevator device thatautomatically moves the arm in the second plane.
 18. An apparatus forsupporting a wing assembly at a wing assembly support height relative toa support surface, the apparatus comprising: a movable platform having afirst height; a plurality of base sections, each having a differentpredetermined height with respect to one another; at least one wingassembly support section; a wing assembly connector connected to thewing assembly support section; the wing assembly connector beingconfigured to be movable in a first plane and a second plane generallyperpendicular with respect to the first plane, and in a third plane thatis generally parallel to the first plane and generally perpendicular tothe second plane; the wing assembly support section defining a bottomand the wing assembly connector being at a second height from thebottom; the movable platform and the wing assembly connector beingconfigured such that the aggregate of the first height and the secondheight is less than the wing assembly support height and such that thedifference between the aggregate of the first height and the secondheight and the wing assembly support height defines a differentialheight; at least one of the multiple base sections being of apredetermined height approximating the differential height; the at leastone of the multiple base sections being of a predetermined heightapproximating the differential height being carried on the movableplatform; the wing assembly support section being carried on the atleast one of the multiple base sections being of a predetermined heightapproximating the differential height; the at least one wing assemblysupport section including a movable table interposed between the atleast one wing assembly support section and the at least one of themultiple base sections being of a predetermined height approximating thedifferential height; the movable table being configured to allowrelative generally rectilinear movement between the at least one wingassembly support section and the at least one of the multiple basesections being of a predetermined height approximating the differentialheight; the wing assembly connector including an arm; an elevator deviceconnected to wing assembly connector that automatically moves the arm inthe second plane; and a movable bracket connected to wing assemblyconnector that allows the arm to move in the third plane.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a load cell connected to thewing assembly connector that automatically determines a load placed onthe arm.
 20. A method for supporting a wing assembly at a wing assemblysupport height relative to a support surface, the method comprising thesteps of: providing at least one wing assembly; providing at least onemovable platform having a first height; providing multiple basesections, each having a different predetermined height with respect toone another; providing at least one wing assembly support section and awing assembly connector movable in a first plane and a second planegenerally perpendicular with respect to the first plane; the wingassembly support section defining a bottom and the wing assemblyconnector being at a second height from the bottom; aggregating thefirst height of the movable platform and the second height of the wingassembly connector from the bottom of the wing assembly section;determining a differential height by comparing the aggregated firstheight and second height to the wing assembly support height; selectingone of the multiple base sections of a predetermined heightapproximating the differential height and positioning the selected oneof the multiple base sections upon the platform; positioning the wingassembly support section on top of the selected one of the multiple basesections; and connecting the wing assembly connector to the wingassembly for supporting the wing assembly.